I don't often do this. Hand out advice to people who aren't my clients when they email me with questions about what to do in their homes.

Because, after all... I do sell this as a paid-service. It’s how I make my living.

And even though I love hearing from people who want to talk about design, I'm unable to answer most times because it takes more time than you think to mull over the details of a question, look at all the images they send, and then send a comprehensive response that advises them on what they should do. People pay me for that kind of advice; so, naturally, it’s difficult to do it for free.

However… sometimes, if a question comes my way that I can answer quickly, and I have a hunch that all of you, my readers, will benefit from a blog post I create out of my response, I’ll go ahead and answer. (Btw: Never do I reveal the person’s identity, that is unless they give me permission to.)

I saw a blog of yours about designing the space above cabinets, and I could really use your help! I have vaulted ceilings on one side of my kitchen cabinets, and I have NO idea what to do. The space is also shared with my living room and dining room. I’ve attached some pictures so you can see. I would LOVE IT if you could tell me what you think!”

HER PICTURES:

Here was my response:

Pretty home, [name redacted]! You've done a nice job. ;-)

I suggest you hang some art objects up there. It's too high to stack stuff on top of the cabinets. Maybe some natural baskets in a collage would work; it wouldn't be very costly, and it would make a big impact.

I also took a quick second to sketch out a visual for her...

“I think it's good that you have white curtain panels; they extend the look of the white kitchen cabinets across the wall, leaving that triangular area available, specifically, for a wall-space to fill with something.

Also, if you can, raise your drapery rod by about a foot; you can add a contrasting section at the hem. Personally, I can’t help but feel like they are a little too all-in-a-row (if you know what I mean) and could use some variation in height. You don't have to go too high here, because you're leaving that space above for your art wall.

The advice and comments I offer here on the blog and in the comments section are free and are done for sharing and discussion. I am in no way taking responsibility for your decisions on your projects, I am simply offering up some advice from my distant and limited view of your situation in question. I try to answer as time permits but cannot get to all of them. If you want to hire me personally, there are ways to do that by clicking on my Services page.

Please notethat if you load images in the comments section you are then giving your permission for me to use the image in a future blogpost, without reference to you, the owner of the photo. All comments are public and therefore can be republished.